Directors: Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham
Original Release: October 27, 2024
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5
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| via Wikipedia |
Quirky Wallace and his faithful hound Gromit are back. Wallace's latest invention is Norbot, a robotic garden gnome who's a little too eager to be helpful around the house and yard. The neighbors are impressed and Norbot's calendar is quickly filled up, a surefire means for Wallace to clear up his considerable debts. The master thief penguin, Feathers McGraw, now in jail (the zoo), learns of Norbot and hatches a plot to turn the robot's personality from good to evil. From there, no end of trouble ensues.
As ever, the eternally under-appreciated Gromit saves the day.
First things first: Nick Park is a genius. I don't use that word lightly. The three original claymation W&G shorts - A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave - are masterpieces. The Wrong Trousers, in particular, is about as close to perfect as a movie gets, complete with one of the most inventive chase scenes in the history of film. The original trilogy have been family favorites of ours for many years so watching further Aardman productions is essentially obligatory.
For me, none of the Wallace & Gromit stories since the originals quite live up. Park is at his storytelling best in shorter form. Vengeance Most Fowl is fun but it's just too long. That said, the production value is still amazing. True to form, Wallace's inventions are as dazzling as they are absurd. The slow-speed chase scene with canal boats is inspired. And poor Gromit is still just as lovable.
If you've never seen Wallace & Gromit before, start with the originals. If you're well-acquainted, Vengeance Most Fowl will provide ample reassurance that the creative juices are still free-flowing.
Haven’t seen this one, but agree that the work is pretty great in general. Love Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
ReplyDeleteNick Park is a gem.
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